ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 2012: The Federal Cabinet gave its unanimous approval for Pakistan’s Hajj Policy and Plan for the year 2012. The monister for information Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira old the newsmen in a press conference today that “After the signing of bilateral annual agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on February 22, Hajj Policy 2011 has been reviewed and modified on the basis of an in-depth analysis and consultation with all stakeholders through Hajj workshops at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Quetta”.
While giving details of the Hajj policy the religious affairs minister said the Hajj quota for 2012 will remain 179,210 and Hajj scheme-2012 shall be implemented through Government Scheme and Private Hajj Group Organizer (HGOs) in the ration of 50:50.
He said that applications for Hajj-2012 under Government Hajj Scheme shall be received on the principle of ?First come, First serve?.
Kaira said that the applications under Government scheme will be invited through designated banks and the intending pilgrims may apply in the group of 10-25 through a group leader.
Any person who has performed Hajj during the last five years will not be eligible to perform Hajj in 2012 except Mehram, Group Leader or the one undertaking Hajj-e-Badal.
He said that under the Government Hajj Scheme, three categories of accommodation i.e. Blue Category within 900 meters without transport with a rental ceiling of Saudi Riyals (SR) 7500 per pilgrim, Green Category within 2000 meters with transport with a rental ceiling of SR 5000 per pilgrim and White Category beyond 2000 meters with transport with a rental ceiling of SR 3600 per pilgrim will be arranged by Pakistan Hajj Mission, Jeddah.
The minister said that pilgrims under Government scheme will not be required to pay any amount on account of Personal Exchange Quota (PEQ) and same will be arranged by them from open market through banks or foreign exchange companies.
Pilgrims, he said, will be airlifted by four air carriers i.e. PIA, Shaheen Air International, Saudi Airline and NAS Air.
Airfare for Hajj-2012 as finalised with PIA will be Rs 73000 for south region and Rs 85000 for north region
